Interim Report January - September 2003

10/23/2003 6:18 AM EST

Interim Report
January - September 2003

· Sales declined by 6% and reached 9,692 MSEK (10,317)
· Sales were up 2% in local currencies
· Operating income declined to 1,693 MSEK (1,797) or by 6%
· Currency translation impact from subsidiaries reduced operating
income by 171 MSEK, or 10%
· Net profit increased by 17% and amounted to 1,228 MSEK (1,050)
· EPS increased by 22% and was 3.68 SEK (3.01)

For further information, please contact:
Lennart Sundén, President and Chief Executive Officer
Office +46 8 658 01 75

Sven Hindrikes, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Office +46 8 658 02 82, Mobile +46 70 567 41 76

Bo Aulin, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Office +46 8 658 03 64, Mobile +46 70 558 03 64

Emmett Harrison, Vice President, Investor Relations
Office +46 8 658 01 73, Mobile +46 70 938 01 73

Lin McKinnie, Vice President, Investor Relations (US)
Office +1 804 302 1912, Mobile +1 804 502 1912